The National Association for Healthcare Security (NAHS), is encouraging renewed focus on NHS lone worker protection, against a backdrop of rising risks and continuing pressure on health service staffing levels. The association, which has more than 700 members across the healthcare sector, is championing improved information sharing and best-practice development with the support of CriticalArc and other industry partners.  

A significantly expanded 2022 NAHS annual national conference programme has now been confirmed, following last year’s sell-out event. Limited spaces remain for the two-day gathering at the University of Birmingham (November 2-3, 2022), which features several industry thought leaders.

NAHS Chair Roger Ringham said the global sponsorship agreement with CriticalArc would bring significant benefits, including assistance with research projects and improved partnerships with the higher education sector where the company already has a strong network of customers and collaborators.

“We currently have no formal annual reporting of aggression against NHS staff nationally, all the data we have suggests this is a problem that is continuing to grow. With workload pressures also increasing and many NHS Trusts struggling to recruit staff, improving safety is a priority,” Roger Ringham said.

“Developing new solutions and sharing best practice are key aims for NAHS and we welcome CriticalArc’s support as we invest in improved services for members. This renewed focus on worker protection will be reflected in our annual conference programme in November and the initiatives that arise from it.”

SafeZone, which is already helping to protect students and staff at almost 50% of UK universities, is now being adopted by NHS trusts too. It is enabling rapid emergency assistance for thousands of NHS staff – including lone workers in hospitals, at local clinics and in the community – precisely locating checked-in

users and allowing control room operators to coordinate faster responses, for example, by directing all relevant responders to the scene of an incident. 

As well as improving personal safety, SafeZone’s unified platform is being used by NHS trusts for a growing list of functions including direct and targeted mass communications, ‘See it? Say it!’ tip reporting by staff and streamlined coordination between clinical teams and their team leaders.  

“With healthcare services under enormous pressure, NAHS is focusing on the priority challenges facing NHS security teams, including lone worker protection, preparedness and incident response,” said Darren Chalmers-Stevens, CriticalArc’s Chief Operating Officer.   

“CriticalArc is pleased to be bringing our proven solution to the table to help NHS trusts respond and to be providing our support and expertise to NAHS as a global sponsor.”

For more information on CriticalArc and SafeZone go to www.criticalar